Description of Procedure

A radical prostatectomy is a surgery used to remove the entire prostate gland including its capsule. The goals of radical prostatectomy are to cure prostate cancer and preserve urinary and sexual function.

Radical prostatectomy is a very different surgery then a simple or transurethral resection of the prostate, both of which are indicated to relieve outflow obstruction by partial removal of the central part of the prostate. The capsule remains. While transurethral resection of the prostate is sometimes used in men with prostate cancer, the intent is not to cure prostate cancer.

There are several different approaches to radical prostatectomy which include:

Retropubic: A small vertical incision is made above the pubic area, typically about halfway to the umbilicus.

Perineal: an incision is made between the scrotum and anus. This is very rarely done and currently there are only a few surgeons in North America using this approach.

Laparoscopic: This approach uses multiple smaller incisions and long instruments to remove the prostate. This is sometimes done with the assistance of a robot in which case it is known as robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP).

WHEN IT COMES TO DELIVERING THE BEST OUTCOME IN ANY PARTICULAR SITUATION, IT ULTIMATELY COMES DOWN TO THE INDIVIDUAL SURGEON.

While the surgical approach (retropubic vs. perineal vs. laparoscopic) can play a role in your outcome, the over-riding factor by a very large margin is the surgeon performing the procedure. Your particular situation also plays a major role. The effect of surgical skill in determining the outcome is such that it is impossible to compare the different approaches to removing the prostate without generalizing to the point where the comparison becomes irrelevant to you. It is impossible to predict how an individual might perform following a treatment, but a surgeon's track record in different scenarios will be a good guide as to what you can expect.

Things to ask your surgeon:

How are you measuring your outcomes? Are the measures you use standardized and generally accepted?

How do your outcomes compare to the benchmarks set by the 'best cancer centers' in the world?

If you are not measuring your outcomes, how do you know if you are performing good surgery or identifying areas for improvement?

How many of these do you do per year?*

What can I expect given my particular situation?

*Surgical volume is an important measure to guage competency, slightly more so than the approach (e.g. open vs. laparoscopic), but measured outcomes are even more important. Each of the surgeons at Richmond Hospital would be considered 'very high volume' as defined in the medical literature - usually defined as over 30 radical prostatectomy surgeries per year.

Radical Prostatectomy at Richmond Hospital

Because of the large variation in how this surgery is performed, you may read or hear many different things. Radical retropubic prostatectomy at Richmond Hospital:

Two Urologists with extensive experience will conduct your procedure.

Surgery takes between 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours

Optical magnification with loupes to maximize preservation of erections and urinary continence

The chances of requiring a blood transfusion are approximately 1 in 20

Most patients are able to go home the day after surgery

The average length of the incision is 10-15 cm (3-5 inches) - less than halfway from the base of the penis to the umbilicus

The most common complaint immediately post-operatively has to do with catheter discomfort, not incisional pain. The catheter usually comes out 7-10 days after surgery.

After Procedure

If you have questions that are not answered here, please contact us.

In the Hospital

Duration

Surgery: usually takes about 2 hours. General anesthetic (you are completely asleep)

At your request, will talk to your family directly or contact them by phone to let them know how you are doing. 1 hour in recovery room.

Hospital stay: usually 1-2 days. Most patients go home the day after surgery.

Activity & Diet

Mobilization the night of surgery, often with a regular diner.

Tubes

Urethral Catheter: not to be removed except by the surgeon 1-3 weeks after surgery

Drainage tube: removed before discharge

On Leaving the Hospital

Prescription

Pain medications: you only need to take this if you are having pain. Often advil/ibuprofen and plain tylenol will be adequate. A prescription for stronger pain medication will be provided just in case.

Blood thinner: you may be prescribed a prescription for low-molecular weight heparin (e.g. Fragmin/dalteparin) to help prevent blood clot formation in the legs

Activity

There are only a few limitations for the first 6 weeks - there are no restrictions after 6 weeks:

No heavy lifting (approx. 30 lbs or more)

No vigorous activity or exercise. Walking is fine, but avoid things which would cause you to tighten your abdomen excessively (e.g. sit-ups, squats, golfing) or place pressure on your saddle area (e.g. cycling

It is important to stay active and walk.You may start showering 24-36 hrs after surgery.Please review catheter care instructions.You may start Kegel exercises once the catheter is removed.

While you may be able to return to non-physically demanding work within a week or two of the surgery, we generally recommend that you plan on 4-6 weeks off of work. It is usually easier to go back to work sooner than expected than to ask for additional time.

Diet

No restrictions. Avoid constipatiing foods. Drink lots of fluids if the urine has any blood.

Post-Operative Office Appointments

Our office will schedule all your follow-up appointments. Please call if you have not received a time for your appointment within 3 days of discharge from hospital.

Catheter removal

An appointment will be scheduled by our office to remove the catheter; usually 7-10 days after surgery (sometimes up to 3 weeks)

Pathology

The prostate (and lymph nodes, if applicable) are sent for analysis. It usually takes 5-10 business days for the report to become available. An appointment to review this important report will be made if not available when the catheter is removed.

Long-Term

You will be seen on a long-term basis by your urologist to assess your progress. We want to ensure that you have optimal results in terms of:

Cancer control

Urinary control

Sexual function

We are happy to assess you at any time outside of routine scheduled appointments to address your concerns.

Important Notices and Frequently Asked Questions

Catheter

DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO REMOVE OR REPLACE THE CATHETER EITHER DURING OR AFTER YOUR HOSPITAL STAY WITHOUT CONTACTING YOUR UROLOGIST FIRST.

Pain or discomfort around incision site especially with coughing or sitting up. Take pain medication.

Bladder spasms which are associated with an intense sensation of needing to urinate and occasionally passage of urine or blood around the catheter (‘bypassing’) of pass blood or debris through the catheter.

Your care doesn't end once you are through your surgery. Your urologist will want to see you periodically for several years to monitor for prostate cancer and ensure that your recovery is the best it can be.

Cautions

Medications

Take antibiotics as per prescription (most patients will NOT have a prescription for antibiotics).Use prescription pain medication and bladder spasm pills as needed. Do not apply ointments or creams to incisions until the steristrips have been removed. You may then apply polysporin or other antibiotic ointment 2-3 times per day until healed. Take a stool softener (obtain over the counter at local pharmacy) starting the night of your surgery. Stop taking stool softeners once having soft bowel movements. Do not take stool softeners if diarrhea occurs.If you have not had a bowel movement by the 3rd day after your surgery, take a laxative (obtain at your local pharmacy over the counter). Do not use suppositories.You may begin your regular medications when you leave the hospital unless instructed otherwise.If you take bloodthinners (ASA, plavix, warfarin), your doctor will advise when you can start them again.

On the Web

General Prostate Cancer Web-Resources

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York is an excellent resource for information on prostate cancer. Balanced, unbiased discussions of the disease, including discussion regarding some of the controversies in prostate cancer.

BC Cancer Agency: Good general website from the British Columbia Cancer Agency. Has contact information on locations.

National Cancer Institute: Excellent source of understandable and mainly unbiased information. Several very good brochures on every stage of prostate cancer.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network: peer-reviewed expert content/prostate cancer guidance on evidence-based cancer diagnosis and management. Best for Prostate and Kidney Cancer. The most in-depth information is located in the physician section and requires registration.